All Popular Stars That Have Visited Rwanda This Year

All Popular Stars That Have Visited Rwanda This Year

It is a public secret that Rwanda is the beautiful home of mountain gorillas, given the fact that Rwanda is home to close 200 gorillas that are found in Rwanda’s Virunga ranges, Rwanda has positioned itself as the destination of choice for a stunning gorilla experience. Amazingly Rwanda has more to offer to you on top of your spectacular Rwanda gorilla safaritours experience in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is also home to the shy golden monkeys that are in Nyungwe Forest National Park and wildlife in Akagera National Park. However, when you crown up your short Rwanda safari experience in those parks never miss out a Lake Kivu safari on your safari Rwanda.

David Luiz

David Luiz enjoyed a two-day Rwanda safari tour, which saw him experience the country’s famous hospitality; learn about its rich culture and natural wonders. David, accompanied by his mother and fiancée, began his Rwanda tour by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he paid respects to the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. David and his family honoured the victims by laying a wreath and observing a moment of silence.

After his Kigali city tour, David Luiz went on to meet H.E. Paul Kagame; the president of Rwanda before heading to Singita at Kwitonda Lodge in the Northern Province. He planted an indigenous tree as part of efforts to reforest areas surrounding the stunning Volcanoes National Park – the famous home to the endangered mountain gorillas he was going to see during his Rwanda gorilla trekking tour.

Kicking off day two, David and his family had a good time in the forest. They began a Rwanda gorilla safari trek through the volcanoes to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. During the incredible Rwanda wildlife safari experience, they learnt about the country’s successful efforts to conserve and protect the gorillas and their habitat. After his gorilla safari tour Rwandaexperience, David then attended a national league football match at Kigali Regional Stadium where he met players, young Rwandans from the Irebero Goalkeeper Training Centre and enthusiastic fans.

David’s 2 Days Rwanda safari tourwas concluded by meeting hundreds of Arsenal fans at the Kigali Convention Centre where he answered questions on his experience in Rwanda and his life and football career.

David Luiz, said: “It has been incredible to learn about this wonderful country and experience the welcoming spirit of the Rwandan people. I came with the curiosity to learn about the country, considering what it went through 25 years ago. I have to say I was inspired by how fast it has moved forward and how it has become a progressive, fast-growing nation with so many amazing things to see and do.

“My family and I are so thankful for the opportunity to come here and see the passion of football fans, experience Rwanda’s culture and witness breath-taking scenery. From trekking to see mountain gorillas to watching local football and mixing with fans of all ages, it has been a humbling and wonderful experience. We can’t wait to come back and see even more of this beautiful country. I’m going to recommend all my friends to spend their holidays in Rwanda.”

Louis Van Gaal

Born August 8 1951 in the Netherlands, Van Gaal is a former Dutch soccer player and coach. He was a player at Royal Antwerp, SC Telstar as well as AZ Alkmaar before becoming a manager. During his coaching career, he managed big clubs in the world that include Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, as well as Ajax and had two runs as coach of his country’s national team. He went for a tour in Rwandafor his first time in September to attend the annual Kwita Izina. He named one of the baby gorillas; Ingogozi.

Aki and Pawpaw

Born Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme respectively, the two are Nigerian comedians and actors who have over the years gotten to become one of the most loved acting duos in Africa. Aki is 41 years old whereas Pawpaw is 37. They were both in the country in February where they had a comedy show at Camp Kigali alongside local comedians Clapton Kibonge, Babu as well as Joshua. They also held a two-day training with people in the movie industry in the country in order to boost the field.

Tony Alexander Adams

The 53-year-old English man is known mainly for his work with England’s national team and Arsenal where he spent 22 years (1980 to 2002). He is one of the few players that were captains both at national and club level. The former Arsenal defender was also in the country for his first time for Kwita Izina where he named a baby gorilla Sura u Rwanda which translates as ‘Visit Rwanda’.

Patoranking

Born Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, the 29-year-old Nigerian superstar has been to Rwanda twice. Arguably one of the biggest artistes on the entire continent, Patoranking first came during the New Year celebrations and returned in October during the Youth Connekt Africa Summit, where he also held a concert.

Naomi Eliane Campbell

She is a 49-year-old English actress, model, and businesswoman who ventured into the modelling industry at the early age of 15 and went on to become one of the most recognized faces in the world. She is also involved in charity works such as the Fashion Relief that raised over $1m for victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as We love Brazil aimed at fighting poverty through supporting local artisans. She was in the country for “Kwita Izina” where she named a baby gorilla “Intarutwa’”.

Burna Boy

Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, the 29-year-old Nigerian is without a doubt one of the biggest artistes on the African continent. He rose to fame in 2012 after the release of hit single Like to Party off his debut album Life and is signed to Warner Music Group internationally and Bad Habit/ Atlantic Records in the USA. He was in the country in late March where he had a sold-out concert at the Intare Conference Arena in Rusororo.

Didier Drogba

Didier Yves Drogba Tebily is a retired soccer player who played for Marseille, Le Mans and Chelsea for two spells where he won the champions league as well as Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua and Montreal Impact. He is the all-time goal scorer for his national team and one of the legends at Chelsea having been the first African to score 100 goals in the English Premier League. He was currently in the country for the just-concluded Youth Connekt Africa Summit.

Ne-Yo

Shaffer Chemere Smith, popularly known as Ne-Yo is an American singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, the record producer who has been on the scene since 1998 and released songs such as Miss Independent, So Sick, Sexy Love and written a couple of big songs such as Let me love you by Mario. He is also one of the judges on ‘World of Dance’ a very popular show in the US. He was in the country for Kwita Izina where he named a gorilla ‘Biracyaza’.

Diamond Platnumz

Born Nasibu Abdul Juma in Tanzania, he is arguably the biggest East African artiste at the moment. He has recorded hit songs with a number of American superstars including Neyo, Rick Ross, Omarion, featured big African names including Davido and Burna Boy, and held a number of sold-out concerts in and outside Africa. The Tanzanian superstar also owns and manages Wasafi Records that has produced some of the region’s finest artists such as Harmonize who just left the record label. He was in the country in August to headline the Iwacu Muzika Festival that was held at the Amahoro Stadium.

Maria Sharapova is a Russian professional Tennis player that was born on 19th April 1987. She has lived in the United States since 1994. Maria Sharapova is a global tennis star, a five-time grand slam winner and former world number 1. Despite an injury-prone career, Sharapova has achieved a rare level of longevity in women’s tennis, having won at least one singles title a year from 2003 until 2015, a streak only bested by three players; Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, and Chris Evert.

Sharapova is the latest star athlete to visit the mountain gorillas in Rwanda after Arsenal defender David Luiz last month.

Volcanoes national park is part of the Virunga ranges and the greater Virunga conservation area. Volcanoes National Park is bordered by Mgahinga National Park of Uganda in the north, Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo in the North West.

Tips About Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park Rwanda shelters the highest population of mountain gorillas in the Virunga conservation area. Rwanda gorilla safari tour has become a dream for most travellers in the world. A Rwanda safariis an amazing experience which brings you close to the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. The interesting stories and unforgettable experiences about the activity keep the potential gorilla trekkers wondering how the entire gorilla safari Rwanda can be from the start to the end.

All travellers must carry their valid gorilla permits and other related documents for clarification to see gorillas. A gorilla permit costs USD 1500 in Rwanda.

Dressing appropriate for the jungle is essential for a successful gorilla trekking experience. This is in good light hiking boots for easy movement in slippery muddy grounds, gardening gloves to grab the bushes for support and the rain gears for the unpredictable forest weather. Also, long socks tucked into trousers, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters. Insect repellents, hat, sunglasses, and waterproof bags are very helpful. A traveller with proper dressing code is assured of an ultimate memorable gorilla trekking safari experience in Rwanda.

Porter’s and hiking sticks are not compulsory but are among the key factors for an enjoyable and successful trek. Porters help in carrying traveller’s luggage and providing support where need be in the process of hiking. The hiking sticks enable easy movement If the steep slopes where hiking becomes difficult. Porters and walking sticks are hired from the park headquarters at a fair cost.

After the briefing, travellers start off an actual gorilla trekking safari Rwandain the Volcanoes Park. Each group of travellers is led by an armed ranger and a park guide hiking up and down in search of the allocated gorilla family. It’s not an easy venture but rather energetic hiking via slippery muddy grounds with thorny bushes and cold weather inside the dense forests. Hiking time may vary from 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the movement and location of the gorillas. Hiking is an opportunity to encounter other animals such as monkeys, baboons and many bird species, which together make the experience memorable.

After hiking for whichever length, you finally meet the gentle giants; relaxed in their families. The clock will start ticking for an hour. It’s here that all fatigue, panting and sweating due to the hike will disappear into excitement and joy as look into the eyes of a dominant silverback guarding the entire family. Travellers are reminded to keep calm and observe carefully the unique human-like characters of each gorilla in the family.

Twin Gorillas

Rwanda gorilla safaris usually give you a chance to tourists who visit Volcanoes National Park to take a hike to the Dian Fossey tombs and have an insight into the life story of the remarkable Dr Dian Fossey who dedicated a big part of life towards conservation of these incredibly beautiful creatures. Volcanoes national park became a research station for an American natural researcher Dian Fossey who set up a research centre for mountain gorillas on land between the mounts of Bisoke and Karisimbi in 1967. Dian Fossey devoted her life to understanding these gentle mountain giants and she is greatly credited for making it her personal mission to make the whole world understand that these gorilla species faced extinction if nothing was done to ensure the survival and continuity of this species of gorillas. Unfortunately, in 1985, Dian Fossey was brutally murdered at her home by unknown assailants and its believed that this act of cowardice was perpetrated by mountain gorillas’ poachers who saw her works as a threat to their business of poaching. She was buried inside this park next to her favourite gorilla named Digit as a tribute to her outstanding work efforts to see to it that these gorillas are given a fair shot at survival. Dian Fossey’s works have been highly appreciated by the larger international community and her work and legacy have been portrayed in a documentary film entitled “Gorillas in the Mist” which is based on her autobiography.